Chapter 104: Lost Property (2)

While Namgung Yun-ho and the assistants felt a sense of emptiness,

“It’s quite bothersome.”

Eon Ho-seung and his group felt annoyed.

The reason for their dissatisfaction was simple.

Since Mok Yeon-seong arrived, the temporary instructor had completely lost interest in them.

“It’s like he’s forgotten about us.”

“It’s all because of that guy. He’s stuck to him like glue.”

Just as the twins said, while Cho Un-hwi was fishing, Mok Yeon-seong never strayed far.

“Bait.”

When Cho Un-hwi casually asked for it,

“Try this one. It seemed to get good bites earlier.”

Mok Yeon-seong skillfully replaced the worm on the hook, chatting away.

*Plop!*

The bobber floated and bobbed on the river. Soon, it sank below the surface, and Cho Un-hwi quickly reeled in the line.

“Wow, a big catch.”

“This will last us until tomorrow.”

“Give me the hook. Let’s try that worm again.”

“A fishing master like me doesn’t care about the quality of the bait.”

“Hehe, do as you please.”

After a while of catching nothing, Cho Un-hwi handed the rod back.

“Bait. Make it moist, not dry.”

“Haha, didn’t I tell you?”

Mok Yeon-seong laughed heartily and replaced the worm again.

Soon, the fish started biting again.

Satisfied with his luck, the temporary instructor sprawled on a rock like a well-fed cat.

He looked so lazy that if you poked his side, he might meow lazily.

By then, the sun was already setting.

They had spent the whole day fishing without much success.

“It’s really bothersome…”

Eon Ho-seung grumbled.

***

The day after the supplementary exam was five days away.

Eon Ho-seung, unable to bear it any longer, secretly called Mok Yeon-seong aside.

As soon as Mok Yeon-seong’s thin figure appeared, Eon Ho-seung glared at him.

“You should know why I called you out here without me saying it.”

“…”

“You seem to be enjoying yourself, and it’s really annoying.”

“…Is enjoying myself a crime?”

“The temporary instructor is a busy man. He’s supposed to be training us. How will you take responsibility for disrupting our training?”

“…”

Mok Yeon-seong’s face darkened as he remained silent.

Watching his dejected expression, Eon Ho-seung pounded his chest in frustration.

“Look, I know what happened to you and how you’ve lived.”

“…”

“To be honest, I feel sorry for you. The guys who bullied you are known to be pretty nasty.”

Eon Ho-seung already knew Mok Yeon-seong’s situation in detail.

“They were probably disciples of the Nine Sects, right?”

“…”

Mok Yeon-seong didn’t speak, but his eyes betrayed his turmoil.

“They’re really bad guys. They have strong backing and considerable skills.”

“…As you say.”

Mok Yeon-seong admitted.

“You must know. The bullying has been going on for a long time.”

It was a well-known story among those who knew about Mok Yeon-seong.

“At first, they humiliated you in friendly matches, but it got worse over time.”

They started by embarrassing him in sparring sessions, then escalated to more severe bullying.

“After that, it got worse. They would dump dirty things on your head while you were eating, and once, they held you down and stripped you during class.”

Eon Ho-seung knew. He had been there.

‘That’s why I didn’t want to get involved.’

It was uncomfortable to see someone being bullied so persistently.

Eon Ho-seung groaned in frustration.

“I don’t understand. Why didn’t you fight back? I would have fought to the death.”

“Indeed.”

“You should have done something bold. That would have scared them off.”

“I considered it.”

“Don’t just think about it, do it!”

How could he endure such humiliation without any resistance?

It was infuriating.

‘He lacks confidence.’

Seeing his lack of spirit made Eon Ho-seung’s blood boil.

But since they had known each other for a few days, Eon Ho-seung held back.

“I get it. But why not find another way instead of relying on the temporary instructor?”

“Another way?”

Eon Ho-seung suggested a plan.

“Why don’t you talk to another instructor?”

“Another instructor?”

“Yes. Formally raise the issue through an instructor.”

Mok Yeon-seong stared at Eon Ho-seung.

Seeing no reaction, Eon Ho-seung offered another plan.

“Or inform your family and demand an official apology.”

“…”

“Don’t you know any masters from the Nine Sects? If you tell them that their disciples are engaging in such vile behavior, they might intervene.”

“…”

“Isn’t it better than suffering alone? You should have been assertive from the start!”

After a long persuasion, Mok Yeon-seong finally nodded slightly.

“Alright. I’ll give it a try.”

“Good. That’s the spirit.”

Feeling like he had accomplished something, Eon Ho-seung patted Mok Yeon-seong’s shoulder.

“That’s the way. Haha.”

***

Surprisingly, Mok Yeon-seong was quick to act.

As soon as their conversation ended, he disappeared, saying he would formally raise the issue with an instructor.

Feeling relieved, Eon Ho-seung returned to inform the others.

But their reactions were not positive.

Im So-jeong was the first to turn pale.

“Ho-seung, you really…”

“Huh? Why the face? He agreed it was a good idea.”

Confused by the group’s reaction, Eon Ho-seung was puzzled.

Even the twins, who usually supported him, and Tang Gan remained silent, making Eon Ho-seung realize something was wrong.

“I’ll go check.”

Namgung Yun-ho was the first to stand up.

“If he really went to an instructor, this is serious.”

Frustrated by the incomprehensible reactions, Eon Ho-seung frowned.

“What? I even introduced him to a good instructor. Don’t you trust me?”

I did my best!

But all he got in return were cold stares.

“Just because someone is kind to you doesn’t mean they’re a good person.”

“Yeah, if it’s the instructor who bullied him, it might be the worst choice.”

Even Namgung Yun-ho, who usually laughed things off, looked grim.

“People don’t make extreme choices because they’re leisurely pushed to it.”

“…What do you mean?”

“They often make such choices after exhausting all their efforts and finding no improvement, clinging to the last lifeline.”

“A coward who chose to give up?”

“It’s a foolish act, but when there’s nothing else, what can you do?”

Namgung Yun-ho added.

“Do you think he never considered informing an instructor? He probably realized it wouldn’t help.”

In the worst-case scenario, the bullying might have intensified.

It was something Namgung Yun-ho had experienced countless times while being called the ghost of Dongcheon Hall.

“If the bullying suddenly got worse, it might be because the instructor’s neglect led to greater retaliation.”

“No instructor would let that happen.”

“Why do you think he clung to a temporary instructor instead of a formal one at Euncheon Hall?”

Finally realizing his mistake, Eon Ho-seung was shocked.

“Sometimes, silent support is more effective than sharp advice.”

At least a short respite would give him time to reflect.

For Mok Yeon-seong, this swamp was such a place.

A safe haven where he didn’t have to worry about others’ gazes and could smile.

“That’s…”

Seeing his plan fall apart, Eon Ho-seung’s expression twisted.

Confusion, shock, guilt, and pride mixed, leaving him feeling bewildered and, ultimately, angry.

“What the hell! I gave him good advice!”

“Why am I being blamed?”

“I admit my mistake. But it’s his fault too!”

My mistake wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t drifted here.

“Isn’t it his fault for being weak?”

Right. I’m not wrong.

“The Jianghu is a world of the strong. It’s survival of the fittest. It’s his fault for stepping into this world without any spirit. He’s the one who gave them a reason!”

His childish tantrum was met with a simple comment from Cho Un-hwi.

“Survival of the fittest. I like that phrase.”

And overwhelming fear.

Chills.

As usual, Cho Un-hwi seemed to turn his head while sitting on a rock, but it felt like facing a mountain lion as a lamb.

‘I can’t move.’

The recent progress was an illusion.

Eon Ho-seung realized for the first time that true fear paralyzes even instincts.

Trembling like a leaf, Im So-jeong tilted her head.

‘Can’t they feel this fear?’

Feeling like he was facing an incomprehensible creature in the middle of a market, Eon Ho-seung couldn’t believe it.

Terrified like a child trapped in an ice cave, he heard a familiar voice.

“Eon kid’s words aren’t entirely wrong. It’s partly his fault. The worst is the one who led the bullying.”

Cho Un-hwi flicked his fishing rod.

*Whirr. Plop.*

The bobber landed gracefully, bobbing on the water.

“But.”

His voice turned sharp.

“Do you think you’re blameless?”

“We didn’t do anything…”

“The worst is the one who led the bullying. Like a criminal.”

“But what should I call you?”

Muttering, Cho Un-hwi finally found a word.

“You’re accomplices.”

“Not criminals?”

“Idiot. Two halves make a whole.”

“You’re worse than the criminals because there are many of you.”

“Criminals created by accomplices are the worst.”

“Ultimately, you’re responsible for this mess.”

No one could argue with Cho Un-hwi’s conclusion.

Except for one person.

“Instructor, you can lecture us later. We need to find Mok Yeon-seong first.”

Namgung Yun-ho.

Despite being suppressed by the overwhelming aura, he focused on Mok Yeon-seong’s trail, trembling but determined.

‘He’s worth raising.’

Cho Un-hwi smiled and replied.

“Leave him.”

“But!”

“I have my own insurance.”

“Insurance…?”

Seeing Namgung Yun-ho’s puzzled expression, Cho Un-hwi hummed and flicked his fishing rod.

*Whirr. Splash!*

The hook snagged a small waterproof bundle.

“Oh, a big catch.”

Namgung Yun-ho finally remembered his conversation with Mok Yeon-seong.

*- It’ll be a problem if you drift down with the waterproof bundle.

*- There’s a condition. You can’t die until I receive the supplies.

Realizing the significance, Namgung Yun-ho’s eyes widened.

“He’ll come back here eventually.”

“…Did you foresee this from the beginning?”

“I just used a little trick to avoid a bad dream.”

With a nonchalant tone, Cho Un-hwi turned to Eon Ho-seung’s group.

“What you’ve learned so far is more than enough for you.”

So this is the end.

“You don’t need to come here anymore. Get lost.”

It was a sharp eviction.

***

Under the bright moonlight, a small figure cautiously sneaked into the training ground.

After nearly stumbling several times, the figure finally reached the swamp house.

“Not there.”

“Ah!”

Startled, Mok Yeon-seong fell on his backside.

In the moonlight, a familiar figure waved, holding a fishing rod.

“You’re here?”

“Haha, did I surprise you?”

Mok Yeon-seong laughed.